Plantar Fasciitis and heel pain treatment in Clevedon using shockwave therapy

Plantar fasciitis is a very common cause of heel pain in the UK.  It affects many different people from athletes, people on their feet all day to dog walkers and joggers.  Having an understanding of this condition can help you prevent or manage it effectively.

What Is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick band of connective tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot. This fascia connects the heel bone (calcaneus) to your toes and helps support the arch of your foot, absorbing shock as you walk.

When this tissue becomes inflamed or overstretched, small tears can develop, leading to pain and inflammation. The condition can range from mild discomfort to severe, stabbing pain that affects mobility and quality of life.  Plantar fasciitis pain can last for years sometimes if left untreated.

Common Causes of Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is generally the result of repetitive stress or excessive load on the foot. Some of the most common contributing factors include:

• Overuse: Activities that place a lot of pressure on the feet—such as running, dancing, or prolonged standing—can cause strain.
• Foot mechanics: Flat feet, high arches, or abnormal walking patterns can affect weight distribution, putting extra tension on the fascia.
• Improper footwear: Shoes that lack proper support, particularly those with thin soles or poor arch support, increase the risk.
• Age: Plantar fasciitis is most common in people between 40 and 60 years old, likely due to changes in tissue elasticity and foot structure over time.
• Weight gain: Extra body weight increases the pressure on the plantar fascia during standing and walking.
• Tight calf muscles or Achilles tendon: Limited ankle flexibility can shift the mechanical load to the plantar fascia.

Recognizing the Symptoms

The main symptom of plantar fasciitis is pain under the heel or instep.

• Sharp heel pain: Especially noticeable with your first steps in the morning or after periods of rest.
• Pain after exercise: Typically, the discomfort worsens after activity, not during.

• Stiffness: Many people report a tight or stiff feeling in the arch of the foot or heel.
• Pain when climbing stairs or standing on tiptoe: These movements put more strain on the fascia.

The pain often develops gradually and might be mistaken for general soreness or a minor strain, especially in the early stages.  I have often seen patients develop plantar fasciitis after long days on their feet, especially when in bad footwear.  A classic is wearing flipflops while on holiday and walking lots on hard pavements.  Some people will develop it after starting new activities such as jogging or dog walking.  It has the nickname of ‘policeman’s heel’ as often people who walk a lot in their work can develop heel pain.

Treatment for plantar fasciitis, heel pain and foot pain.

Osteopaths can treat these types of pain very effectively with hands on manual treatment to help stretch muscles and improve the function of the foot, ankle and leg.  We also advise on the best rehab exercises to help maximise recovery.  At Clevedon Osteopaths we also use Radial Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) which is a proven treatment for plantar fasciitis as recommended by NICE.  Coupled with rehab exercises shockwave therapy has over a 90% success rate.  Take a look at our website for more information or call the practice to speak to someone.  Tel: 01275 877339  www.clevedonosteopaths.com